American Dogwood Interactions Overview

Cornus florida, or flowering dogwood, is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America, known for its showy white or pink spring flowers. Its bark is rarely used in medicine. The tree grows 15-30 feet tall with a spreading crown and red berries in late summer, attracting birds. Its oval leaves turn vibrant red in autumn. Popular in landscaping for its beauty and adaptability, Cornus florida's bark may have antiparasitic effects, including antimalarial properties comparable to quinine and sulfadiazine. It also destroys snails carrying the tropical parasite Schistosoma. A methanol extract of its bark can inhibit heart activity, even stopping the heartbeat at high doses. The use of American dogwood in dietary supplements is uncommon.